"It was tough time as well for me to see her suffering" - Sabalenka always there for friend Badosa amid constant injury problems in 2025

Aryna Sabalenka has showed support for her friend and soon to be doubles partner Paula Badosa after the Spaniard endured more injury problems in 2025, labelling her as a 'fighter.'

Nicknamed 'Sabadosa' by fans, the pair have sparked a glorious relationship on the WTA Tour, regularly supporting each other in their quests to win big titles while spending heaps load of time together away from the court. 

Both players have achieved a lot in the sport. Currently the world number one by a solid distance, Sabalenka is the dominant force on the WTA Tour at the moment. She reached three Grand Slam finals and the WTA Finals climax, just winning the US Open in 2025 along with a number of other titles and accolades. Her name has been in the news for the wrong reasons due to the controversial Battle of the Sexes clash against Nick Kyrgios, but that does not take anything away from her quality she possesses on the court.

For Badosa, she is a former world number two, achieved back in 2022 after some deep runs in big events. Her progress was deeply impacted in 2023 when she missed a large chunk of the season due to a back injury picked up in the Rome Open, seeing her miss the majority of the second half od the campaign. This stress fracture in her back has been a problem plaguing her for the last few years. This cropped up once more after a very positive start to 2025, which saw her return to her best form. 

The 28-year-old is optimistic heading into the 2026 campaign, stating that she feels very good after a successful pre-season. She featured at the World tennis Continental Cup and is looking to replicate the start to the season from last year. There were desperate lows as well in 2025, with her withdrawing from a number of matches along with completely missing the US Open due to the back injury.

“She is a fighter,” Sabalenka boldly claimed to the Brisbane Press ahead of their reunion on the court. “Yeah, I mean, Sabadosa is back, so it's going to be a lot of fun on court. It was tough time as well for me to see her suffering, and I have always been there for her. We spoke a lot. I tried to give my best advice to her, and, I mean, I have always been there for her. If she want to talk, I was there. If she needed something, I was there. I gave her contact of a good physiotherapist.

The Belarusian was certain that she was going to overcome her prior demons to become the tennis player that she was and has been touted to become for years. "Yeah, I have been a great supporter, and I really hope that she can - not hope, I know she's going to get back on her level. I just want to make sure her body is protected and strong and ready to go.”

Sabadosa have enjoyed a number of partnerships on the court. This first started in a few events in March and April 2022 in WTA events, not getting very far though. They also played with each other at the 2023 World Tennis League, winning one of the four ties together. 

Against each other, it is Sabalenka who has the upper hand. In their nine meetings, she has won seven of them. Badosa's only two triumphs have come in their opening clashes in 2021 before their friendship blossomed at the Cincinnati Open and the WTA Finals. Since then, the four-time Grand Slam champion has reigned supreme, with three of her victories coincidentally coming in the Stuttgart Open. Their most recent matchup came in last year's Australian Open semi-final. Sabalenka was looking to defend her title and make it a hat-trick of major titles Down Under while Badosa was debuting in a Grand Slam semi-final and had eyes on a first final. Following the distinct pattern, Sabalenka fended off her friend 6-4, 6-2. 

Sabadosa is set to be reignited at the upcoming Brisbane International commencing from January 5-11, as they gear up towards another Australian Open campaign.